Family

Donut Hold Back

Leave a comment June 4, 2015 Claire, collected.

OK people get excited, only one sleep and it’s National Donut Day!!! Alright, I know it’s an American thing, but it SHOULD be an international thing. So I’m pretending it is and bringing you my favourite donut esque picks for my kids right now. Some of these we have, some of these we are trying very hard to resist (wish us luck with that, it’s almost as irresistible as a Krispy Kreme itself!). Self confessed colour addicts this fun sugary craze is one we can’t get enough of.

1. ‘Donut Stop Me’ tee: Stella McCartney

2. Donut leggings: image via Pintrest, source unknown. Similar available: Red Rubble

3. Aqua Sunnies: Milk & Soda

4. Yellow Converse: CONVERSE

5. Honey Comb Fancies: Poppies for Grace

6. Powder Pink Bed: Incy Interiors

7. Donut Wall Stickers: Jimmy Cricket

8. Rainbow Quilt: Kip & Co

9. Aqua Unicorn Softie: Ladedah Kids

10. Krispy Kreme pillow Case: Sack Me

11. Rainbow Velvet bean bag: Kip & Co

12. Donut floor rug: This Little Love

13. Donut Foot Stool: Third Drawer Down

14. Aqua storage basket: Down to the Woods

15. Krispy Kreme Cushion: Sack Me

16. Donut Watch: Zazzle

Carrick Hill Story Book Trail

1 Comment May 28, 2015 Claire, collected.

I recently shared a few pictures of Ruby’s day out enjoying the Carrick Hill Story Book Trail on my personal Facebook page and was surprised at how of my Adelaide friends had forgotten , or had never heard of this hidden treasure. Tucked away in the corner of the historic Carrick Hill gardens the trail takes children on a magical adventure of hidden treasures. All the favourites are there, scenes from Charlotte’s web, Wind in the Willows, The Magic Faraway Tree, Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, The Jungle Book, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and many many more. There are tiny windows to peer through, giant animals to gaze up at, cubbies to explore. This little trail is one of Adelaide’s best kept secrets. Designed to enable children to explore and discover the natural world, the short walk encourages their little imaginations whilst they run and jump and breathe in the wonderful fresh air. Can it possibly get any better? Guess what, it does. They sell coffee! And scones. All sorts of tasty treats actually. No need to thank me. Enjoy! xx C

Lily’s Incy Interior’s Rainbow Room

10 Comments May 12, 2015 Claire, collected.

I’m so excited to finally be sharing the details of Lily’s new fruity rainbow room, her own little sanctuary of wall to wall sweet and colourful edible goodness! The delay in this post, is one of the reasons Lily’s room has been styled the way it has. Our old bluestone house has so many wonderful heritage elements that I love, BUT in true character, the front rooms can be so incredibly dark, making it near impossible to photograph in natural light. And this is the exact reason we decided on this bright and colourful theme. And I’m so glad we did, the room literally radiates happiness, even on the darkest days. Born in the middle of an extremely hot Australian summer Lily has grown up in the back yard pool crunching on ice cold watermelon and ice creams, swimming the days away. These have always been her favourite times, a true summer babe. And now she can enjoy summer vibes all year long surrounded by fruits (mainly watermelon, of course) ice creams, flowers, and so much more colourful fun! As you’ve seen in past blog posts Lily’s room was already colourful, but after deciding on this beautiful new Incy Interiors bed we thought why not treat it to a royal welcome with a whole new room fit out! I hope you enjoy the room tour! Product listings will be outlined below, if I missed anything, just shout! xxx C

Bed: Incy Interiors http://www.incyinteriors.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @theincystore

Peach chambray quilt, rainbow’s end blanket, velvet cushion, blooms beanbag: Kip & Co http://kipandco.net.au You can follow them on Instagram: @kipandco

Donut quilt and confetti flat sheet: Sack Me http://www.sackme.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @sackme

Love heart shelf and ice-cream mirror: Bride & Wolfe http://www.brideandwolfe.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @brideandwolfe

Clothes Rack: Such Great Heights Kids http://www.suchgreatheights.com You can follow them on Instagram: @suchgreathieghts_kids

Watermelon swim suit: Molo: https://www.molo.com You can follow them on Instagram: @moloinsta

Watermelon Vase: Lovestar http://www.lovestar.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @lovestarloves

Watermelon print and popsicle pillow case: Toucan Prints http://www.toucanonline.com You can follow them on Instagram: @toucan_

“L” Lamp: Little Letter Lights Co http://littleletterlights.com You can follow them on Instagram: @littleletterlightsco

Floor Rug: Armadillo & co: http://armadillo-co.com You can follow them on Instagram: @armadilloandco

Cloud Lamp: Fromaige is Cool http://www.fromagelarue.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @fromageiscool

Watermelon Sarong: Lyloh Sarongs http://www.lyloh.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @lylohsarongs

Cat doll: Cloth & Thread: http://clothandthread.com You can follow them on Instagram: @clothandthread

Aqua Dot Pin Board: http://alandem.com.au You can follow them on Instagram: @al_and_em_pinboards

Miffy, Lapin Dolls, Kewpie, Sonny Angels: Leo & Bella www.leoandbella.com.au You can follow them on instagram: @leoandbella

Feathered Crown (on Miffy): Pipla Studios http://pipla.bigcartel.com You can follow them on Instagram: @piplastudio

Crochet watermelon (on shelf): Lulu & Lo http://www.luluandlo.bigcartel.com You can follow them on Instagram: @luluandlo

Giant Pink and Lemon fabric tassels: Chief & Kewpie http://chiefandkewpie.bigcartel.com you can follow them on Instagram: @chiefandkewpie

Donut stool: Third Drawer Down http://www.thirddrawerdown.com You can follow them on Instagram: @thirddrawerdown

Rainbow & Watermelon necklaces: Zebony Design http://www.zebonydesign.bigcartel.com You can follow them on Instagram: @zebonydesign

Gold and Rainbow letter ‘word’ garlands: Boo & Child You can follow them on Instagram: @booandchild

Colourful tissue garland: You can follow them on Instagram: @dd_brand

Lily’s outfit: Top: @bobochoses Pants: @banditkids Hat @moloinsta

You can check out the full range of Incy Interiors beds here: theincystore.com.au

And the full range of Bandit Kids clothing here: www.banditkids.com.au

You’re One in a Melon

3 Comments March 9, 2015 Claire, collected.

With only three weeks until Miss Lily’s Watermelon themed birthday party we thought we’d start getting in the mood with a watermelon corner in her bedroom.

Watermelon garland and invitations custom styled by our gorgeous friends at Piccolo Studios. You can now shop this new range and other watermelon fun, here: Piccolo Studios.

RUBY’S ROOM | A Party Dress for a Party Girl

2 Comments March 7, 2015 Claire, collected.

This week we have taken on a big transition and dropped one of Ruby’s day sleeps.

Being the youngest of three, with much older brothers and sisters (9 and 11) Ruby has definitely had the most relaxed and ‘fun’ start to life. Compared to her siblings who were in comparatively structured routines, Ruby’s life has been a bit of a party so far. When her brother and sister get home from school each afternoon there are constant sports and activities lined up. Having normally slept twice during day she is bubbly and cheerful the whole way through, sneaking sips of their smoothies on the way to soccer practice, running around with other babies at swimming lessons, dancing in the corridors at ballet…. it’s busy but it’s fun fun fun. Then there is dinner. Whilst she does on occasion eat earlier on her own, generally we give her a late snack so she can then join the family at the dinner table in the evenings. This has been something we have all enjoyed, and as a result she eats a tremendous varied diet, fussy eating not one of her problems as you can probably tell by looking at our chubby bubby! So to cope with the afternoon mayhem we have continued to give Rubes two big sleeps during the day each day, providing her with the energy to charge around and be part of the family fun at night.

This week however we’ve decided to change things up a little. The nights were getting later, and later… And Summer is quickly coming to an end. My husband has lately needed to do some work at night, and has some big work trips planned. The big kids have increasing homework demands and also need to be getting to bed a little earlier without the distraction of our little party girl running up and down the hallway, so the time has come for Ruby to have some earlier nights. To be honest I’m not sure how long the new routine will last. We missed her at the dinner table the first night, it didn’t feel the same without her sitting there. But the next two nights she had adjusted to having less sleep during the day and managed to stay up and eat with us, falling into bed at 8. Perhaps 8 will be a good compromise, still part of the family fun but in bed earlier so I can spend time helping the older two with their homework. Having children with a big age gap can be challenging and I think this might be a great way to find that extra time to spend with the older two one on one. Our family life is busy, fitting in the needs of three kids at very different stages can be challenging, the days are long, just to get some ‘me time’ I don’t finish the day until 1am….let’s just say coffee is my new best friend! But I can honestly hand on heart say I’ve never been happier. I know I am living the best days of my life and I’m going to savour every last moment.

On that note, I wanted to share these photos of my little party girl in her party dress, and remember this chapter of our lives forever. x

Dress: Mr Wolf Kids

Clothes Rack: Such Great Heights Kids

Feather garland: Zilvi

Swan wooden clothes hangers: Zilvi

“Hi” blanket: Yarning Made

Panda Blanket: Rebecca Kiff

Cot Sheet: Sack Me

ON THE GO | MISTER ZIMI

Leave a comment February 9, 2015 Claire, collected.

As a Mum of three kids each at very different stages of their lives, the words ‘on the go’ are certainly fitting. The drop offs, pick ups, playdates, sports practices, and parties are endless. It goes without saying a Mama needs to be comfortable. But that doesn’t mean we have to live in track pants. These photos were taken literally ‘on the go’. Out and about with a girlfriend yesterday in between Eddie’s football trials, Lily’s play dates, and Ruby’s naps we whipped into town for baby cino and a dash of shopping. So here you have it, our real life street style with Mister Zimi.

I’ve been a long time fan of this gorgeous label. Their fun prints and easy cuts are flattering, fun, unique and timeless. Staple pieces you can keep on wearing over and over. Pair with heels for a night out with the girls, trainers for a day of errands, or sandals for a tropical holiday, whatever look you have in mind Mister Zimi have it covered. And let’s be honest, we are all a sucker for a bit of matchy matchy with our littles. The new Mini Zimi range is as vibrant and wearable as the women’s collection, Ruby received positive comments everywhere we went yesterday. We certainly won’t be stopping at just one!

You can shop Mister Zimi here: www.misterzimi.com

You can shop Mini Zimi here: http://misterzimi.com/product-category/minizimi/

Bobo Choses: Guess who’s coming for breakfast?

2 Comments February 5, 2015 Claire, collected.

So this was an accidental blog post. I wasn’t planning on it. There I was running around the house picking up the trail of toys Ruby was leaving behind her (read: outrageous mass destruction, all plastics drawers, bathroom cupboards, toy baskets, clothing hampers, all empty) when Lily said she wanted to go for a bike ride. She isn’t old enough to go on her own so into the pram Ruby went. I threw the camera in at the last-minute and voila, here we are.

Bobo Choses. Could quite possibly be my all time favourite children’s label. And without even glancing at their ‘about’ tab I’ll tell you why I like it. I love the essence of this brand. The clothes are comfortable…like super comfortable. They are play clothes. Clothes kids feel good in, can move in, can run in and jump in, but will also survive endless wash cycles to get all the grass, blueberries and mud stains out. The garments are organic, no nasties, better for the planet, better for your child. And they are largely unisex. This appeals to me very much. Why would I dress my baby in head to toe pink, when I myself dress mainly in denim and stripes? Does this mean I only dress the girls in androgynous clothes? Definitely not. We love a bit of boho chic, florals, neons, all so much fun. And they both like to tutu and twirl as much as they love jumping in puddles. But Lily likes to choose her own clothes now, and Bobo is one that I think appeals to her imagination. The bold prints also drum up memories of my own childhood. Hands up if you grew up drinking out of the garden hose and survived? Ate Lilly Pillies, rode around without a helmet – breeze in your hair, climbed trees, hunted for treasures in the creek (read: collected pieces of metal from the drain), ate watermelon under the sprinkler on a 40 degree day. Bobo brings back all these memories, it radiates the essence of what childhood should be about. Fun, adventurous, imaginative, comfortable.

Ruby is obviously too little to choose her own clothes. So what I dress her in is diverse. Some days it’s black, some days colour, some days it’s pink, white and so on. To her, it doesn’t matter at all what she is wearing, but the colours and fabrics and prints will stimulate her imagination and in turn add to the person she will grow into. Don’t get me wrong, who we are, and where we end up, is not a reflection of our clothes. The best things in life are not ‘things’ I truly believe that. But how we present ourselves is a way of expressing who we are. We are not all the same, and being able to express our individuality in the way we present ourselves to the world, well I think it’s important. At 15 months Ruby is as passionate about nurturing her baby doll as she is about crashing toy cars into the wall and saying brmmm brmmm. So for her I like to keep things varied, and provide her with a platform so that as she gets older she can make her own choices about what she likes and dislikes. I am treasuring every moment of my little people’s childhoods. I’m sure I will look back on these days with the fondest memories. But I’m also very excited to watch them grow into the people they will become. xC

You can shop Bobo Choses, or search for stockists, here: Bobo Choses

Little Creative Factory

1 Comment February 2, 2015 Claire, collected.

The moment I first saw the incredible label Little Creative Factory I knew they were going to become a favourite. As I dug a little deeper into the philosophy behind the brand my admiration for this unique business became stronger. Those who know me well know that when it comes to my own purchases, if I spend money on an item it will be timeless, classic, good quality and often understated. Something that can be dressed up or down and will remain stylish throughout the years. That is exactly how I feel about Little Creative Factory. They don’t follow fad trends, they have their own unique yet super tasteful timeless style. I cannot imagine an era in the past or the future where these garments could not be perceived as anything other than extremely beautiful and stylish. The fabrics, the cuts, the details, everything about them is just superb. Tick number one. Then, as if gorgeous, well made, comfortable timeless wasn’t already enough, I find out that these clever people also share my passion for sustainable fabrics and eco-friendly production.

The more companies out there like Little Creative Factory, working alongside our planet instead of against it, the better off we will all be. I also love the thought, that by thinking about what we dress our children in and choosing ethical brands, we are taking a little step towards preserving their childhoods, and of course contributing to preserving their future. I’ve been passionate about sustainable / ethically produced / organic products for my children for a long time. My first child (now 11) had terrible debilitating eczema and life threatening allergies. It goes without saying poorly produced clothing and linens have never been an option for him. So it was very early into motherhood that I became interested in finding products that would be comfortable for him to wear on his sensitive skin, and also gentle on our environment. The more I learn about the fashion industry, the more difficult I find it to put my children, and my self for that matter, in mass-produced poorly made clothing that is more often than not unoriginal, (copied from a hard-working creative individual or family and re made cheaply, unethically, and in huge numbers), manufactured with no care for the comfort and health of the little bodies that will be wearing them, and even less care about environmental footprint. I’m so thrilled at how much this industry has diversified since my son was a baby. Back then my choices were limited, now if you take the time you will find amazing businesses like Little Creative Factory tucked away in many corners of the world. The more I get to know these creative individuals, families, businesses, the more I want to do my bit to support them when I can.

I hope you enjoy these snaps from our recent trip to Canada. It was the first time my baby girl ever saw snow flakes dancing down from the sky. I will never forget watching her laugh, point and squeal with delight. Her little face literally radiating with curiosity and excitement. I will forever hold these memories close to my heart. xx C

Ruby’s bonnet, dress and shrug and Claire’s scarf all from Little Creative Factory.

You can check out Little Creative Factory (currently on sale!!) here: www.littlecreativefactory.com

Follow their gorgeous instagram feed here: @littlecreativefactory

Ruby’s Tranquil Nursery

4 Comments December 31, 2014 Claire, collected.

AND A DASH OF LEOPARD LOVE

Having recently changed things around in Lily’s room a lot of the colour from Ruby’s nursery seems to have gravitated down to that end of the house. I have to say I am loving it. Ruby’s little room right from the start has been a light, tranquil and soothing space. Being the 5th member of our family Ruby has taken over our old study we converted just before she was born. It’s a tiny little room, it looks much bigger in pictures than it is in real life, so the soft colours and minimalist (for me, I’m no true minimalist as much as I’d love to be!) design creates a soothing, happy yet relaxed energy between these four walls. Complete with a ceiling fan, white plantation shutters and it’s very own little fireplace the light streams in all day and the air flows naturally, making what was a pokey little study a delightful space for our baby girl to sleep in.

I’ve posted plenty of pictures of Ruby’s evolving room over on my Instagram feed. But how could I resist sharing this edition on the blog, Ruby in her Leopard Wovenplay Lola Suit and matching Jess Brown doll from the delightful children’s boutique Lulu Little Store are just too much cute for one Instagram picture! Here you’ll see some of my favourite things I’ve gathered for Ruby this year. With a focus on handmade, and organics her room is full of natural non toxic fibres. Better for the planet, better for Ruby. Including cot sheets from possibly the most eco conscious company I have come across in the children’s clothing business, Mini Rodini, and hand-made dolls from two of my favourite children’s toy designers Cloth and Thread and Jess Brown. These are no ordinary dolls, so well made and so beautiful I had firm plans they’d stay put on the shelf for eternity, Ruby has other ideas, she loves them! They get thrown around, ears and hair pulled, kissed on the lips, socks removed and replaced (on an hourly basis) but I wouldn’t have it anyway. I love that she loves this space as much as I do. With firm extension and renovation plans for 2015 Ruby will move into a bigger room at the end of the year as she begins to need more space. But until then, this will do just fine.

Wovenplay Lola suit, feather headband & Jess Brown doll: Lulu Little Store

Little Darlings Animal Gallery and Elephant print: The Animal Print Shop (Sharon Montrose)

Elodie and Camille (elephant and cat) dolls: Cloth and Thread

Clothes Rack: Such Great Heights

Cot: Oeuf Sparrow from Kido Store

Miffy Lamp: Leo & Bella

Fine Little Day Piram Parum poster: My Messy Room

Rabbit blanket (folded over change table matt) and Panda blanket: Rebecca Kiff

Hi Blanket: Yarning Made

Petite cloud marquee light: Fromage La Rue

Cot sheets and pillow: Mini Rodini

Wooden feather garland: Zilvi

White ball garland: Felt Foxes

Table and chairs: Eames Replica Click On Furniture

Lucky Boy Sunday Dolls: Leo & Bella

Pig Wheelie Bug: Kid Zone

Wooden Camera: Twig Creative

Leopard Cushion: Children of the Tribe

A Rainbow Room for Miss 8

7 Comments December 28, 2014 Claire, collected.

Christmas has been and gone and we are home from the beach house today making room for the new treats! I am just loving how this space is coming along for Miss Lily. Believe it or not there is still so much space in her room we can decorate, this is only two walls! It’s an ongoing project we are loving working on together, slowly collecting all the trinkets to make her room a colourful sanctuary that encourages her imagination and her bubbly little sparkle that I hope never disappears. xx C